The bad driving habits rubbing off on Qld teens

Young drivers who observed their parents’ bad driving behaviour had started committing the same on-road sins, new research from the State’s peak motoring body revealed.

RACQ spokesperson Clare Hunter said more than half the respondents to the Young Drivers Survey had driven tired or over the speed limit after seeing their parents do the same.

“When parents break the rules and drive unsafely it clearly makes young drivers think they can get away with the same behaviour,” Ms Hunter said.

“These are the people young drivers look up to which is why it’s disappointing to see so many parents are setting these bad examples.”

Ms Hunter said the study also found a quarter of young drivers who witnessed a parent using a hand-held mobile phone while driving had committed the same offence.

“Like speeding and fatigue, distraction’s one of the biggest killers on our roads, and it’s disturbing novice drivers are copying these dangerous behaviours,” she said.

“If you’re distracted behind the wheel you’re wielding a ton of metal blind, and that’s not only putting yourself in danger, but everyone else on the road.”

Ms Hunter urged parents to consider the example they set for their teens behind the wheel.

“Drive how you want your kids to drive and make sure you refresh yourself on the road rules. The Federal Government’s Keys2Drive program also gives young drivers and their parents one free driving lesson, so it’s worth signing up to give your child the best start.”

Proportion of young drivers who copied their parents’ bad driving behaviours: